Dec. 1906.] 



477 



Saps and Exudations. 



price, so it cannot be over-produced." After my own experience in over-production 

 of cardamoms and cinchona, I am inclined to agree with Mr- Corbett, that great 

 care should be exercised not to overdo camphor. 



{Copy of Letter from Mr. F. B. Eastwood, dated London, 11th July, 1906, in 

 connection with Mr. E. J. Young's paper on Camphor.) 



Dear Mr. Bartlett,— I am sorry to have been unable to write to you before 

 in reply to yours of the 2nd instant, enclosing me Mr. Young's interesting paper 

 on camphor. 



With regard to Mr. Young's wish to find out more about celluloid and the 

 quantity of camphor used annually by manufacturers ; this, we fear, is almost 

 impossible. Up to about ten years ago regular statistics of shipments of crude 

 camphor from Japan and Formosa could be ascertained without much difficulty ; 

 but the manufacture of refined camphor in Japan was at that date of little 

 importance, so that the quantity of crude camphor used in manufacture in Europe 

 and America could be arrived at with a certain amount of accuracy. The Japanese 

 monopoly and the Government encouragement of the manufacture of camphor 

 refining has made it quite impossible to obtain any statistics that can be depended 

 upon ; this much we know, that the quantity of camphor used by refiners for 

 disinfecting purposes is very greatly reduced on account of the increased p rices 

 ruling since the establishment of the monopoly, and the consequent introduction 

 of cheap substitutes ; but, on the other hand, the manufacture of celluloid has 

 largely increased in both Europe and the United States. 



What quantity of crude camphor is necessary for the manufacture of 

 celluloid has never been divulged outside that trade, and it is a secret which 

 appears to be jealously guarded by the manufacturers of that article. We have 

 always been given to understand, however, that the percentage of camphor in 

 celluloid is small, but there are some peculiar properties about the camphor 

 crystals which are absolutely essential to its manufacture, and these crystals have 

 hitherto defeated the great scientists in the many experiments which they have 

 made to produce them artificially. 



Turning to Mr. Young's article, I would remark that the present price 

 mentioned in the third line is rather lower than when I spoke to him, to-day's 

 quotations being 320s, to 330s. per cwt. Further on Mr. Young mentions that 

 camphor has been sold at as low as 60s. per cwt., but I would point out that the 

 lowest price during the last fifteen years was 70s., which so far as I recollect was 

 in 1895, and it niust be added that the manufacture of celluloid was at that time 

 in its infancy, which manufacture has altered the whole position and consumption 

 of camphor. For that reason I think that Mr. Corbett's view need not be taken 

 seriously— i.e., that camphor would again revert to 60s. "were the articles laid 

 down in profusion." This profusion is not possible so long as the only sources 

 of supply are under the control of the Japanese Government, and it will take 

 many years to produce in Ceylon or other countries a sufficient quantity to disturb 

 the position held by the monopoly. 



Re the Japanese cutting down of trees, they have for some years been very 

 strict about replacing wherever they cut down ; whether they carry out the same 

 practice in Formosa, I am unable to say, but with such prudent people I should 

 think it very probable that such is the rule there also. 



Count Butler, who at one time was the principal shipper from Formosa, 

 once told me that he could not produce camphor and place it on the market to 

 show him a fair profit with the conditions then existing (about 1894), under about 

 80s. per cwt. ; and he also told me, what I have had confirmed by others acquainted 



